Under a working agreement that will run initially for three years, McCandless will work with Kantar on the launch of an Information is Beautiful award programme for data visualisation and information design.

He will also act as a consultant to Kantar’s thirteen operating companies to promote the use of data visualisation, working closely with the group’s creative director Aziz Cami.

McCandless said: “Kantar and I share a passion for data visualisation as a new way to tell stories. We both want to support, celebrate and reward those practising this new creative form all around the world. That’s really the soul of the Information is Beautiful awards. Who knows where it might lead?”

Cami said: “We aim to turn data into insights that inspire our clients to better and more creative outcomes. Data visualisation is an important addition to our armoury in pursuing this goal. We’re thrilled that David has chosen Kantar as his partner to launch these awards and look forward to working with him in other ways.”

Kantar follows Hall & Partners in tapping the world of design to improve how it communicates research findings – the brand and comms researcher recently hired former BBC designer Max Gadney as its chief creative officer.